Yearning

*ERIC*

Ever since my sister and niece moved in, I’ve been constantly on the move. I was never the type to stay still, but I did have the luxury of relaxation when I wanted. Now, it’s just motion in every direction. I was exhausted. On top of that, things have been picking up at the office.

There are more meetings, more projects, and my mom breathing down my neck about my personal life.

When my dad stepped down from his accounting firm, he handed me the reins to take over. I always wondered why he didn’t offer it to Kacie first, since she was the oldest and had actually shadowed him from the beginning.

When I asked, he would always say she wasn’t interested in that kind of stuff and that she’d probably just marry well and wouldn’t want it. I think he just didn’t see her as being capable in some way.

Worked out for me, so I couldn’t complain.

There was a knock on the door that pulled me away from my work.

“Come in.”

It was my best friend and partner, Walton. He’d always been there to help run the show when I was away or when things had suddenly come up. He was really good at his job.

“You’ve been couped up in this office for days. When are you going to get out and get some air or something?”

I laughed at the idea of me being a shut-in.

“You see all this work on my desk? I can’t get behind on it.”

“That’s what you got employees for, E. They are more than capable of helping take the load.”

“Walt, what do you want?”

He smirked at the question. “Glad you asked. So, it’s this party—black tie that’s going on tonight, and I thought it’d be nice if you came.”

I groaned at this because I knew exactly who sent him to do this.

“She put you up to this?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You just need to have some fun since you’ve been slammed with work.”

For a moment, I considered it, but I shook the idea off quickly. I didn’t want to be bothered with big events like that. It was always full of people who weren’t in the least bit interested in you, just what you did.

“Should I tell her no?”

That question halted me in my tracks. Curiosity always got the better of me, and he knew that.

“Who?”

Walt pulled out his phone and showed me a picture of a woman who was absolutely stunning. She had long brown hair, captivating blue eyes that drew you in like sirens do to fishermen, and an undeniable smile.

“Are you going to tell me that you don’t want to see her?”

I rubbed my hand through my hair, contemplating for a moment before responding, “I mean, she’s attractive, but I think I’ll pass. Why don’t you take one for the team?”

He seemed taken aback by my response and looked at me for a moment, as if searching for something.

“Alright, what’s going on? You’ve never turned down a beauty like that before, are you sick?” he said, reaching to place a hand on my forehead.

We both laughed. “No, I’m fine. Just busy.”

I picked up my pen to resume work, but the conversation continued.

“Who is she?”

“Who’s who, Walt?”

“The girl that’s got you turning down other girls you’d normally go for?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I did. I just didn’t want to admit it and tell him he was right. I didn’t want the jokes or the pressure of telling my family and friends that I’m interested in someone. It always became a big spectacle, like we were kids. But Walt was always on to me. It was as if he knew my innermost thoughts. It was actually creepy.

“Tell me, playboy.”

Just then, my thoughts shifted to Jamira. As if I hadn’t thought about her enough already. I didn’t even know where I stood with her, and it was extremely fresh, so no way was I going to talk about it. So, I did the only thing I thought to throw him off. I lied.

“Alright, you got me. I met this cute girl a while back, and we’ve been getting pretty serious over the last few weeks. I think she’s special.”

His eyes widened like a schoolgirl. It was hilarious, so I kept going.

“Her name is Amanda, and we met at a coffee shop one day. It kind of went from there.”

“When were you going to say something?”

“When I sent out wedding invitations”, I laughed.

Walt thought for a moment. His eyes widened again as if he realized something and became flushed. His face was as red as a cherry. “You dumbass, that’s the plot of that show Tokyo Bridge.”

It was, but in my defense, I didn’t expect him to catch on as quickly. We both laughed as he walked out of my office. I guess he had enough.

I tried to get back to work, but my mind was stuck on Jamira. It’s been a few days since I’ve dropped Kayla off at school or picked her up. Her mom had told me she was able to adjust her schedule so I wouldn’t be solely responsible for that. Plus, I think she just missed being there for her in the morning.

I had remembered texting her last night about making things up to her. I wonder if it’s too soon after. I just want to see her and take up some of her time. Hopefully, I can get her next to me again.

I pulled out my phone and texted my sister.

Hey..

Hey, loser.

What time does Kayla get out of school?

3 p.m., why?

Perfect, I’ll be picking her up from school today.

Are you sure?

Yeah, it’ll give you a chance to fix that rat’s nest on your head.

Ha ha, very funny, LITTLE bro.

I laughed and put the phone down. Satisfied my plan worked, I got back to work so I could finish as much as I could before it was time to leave.

By the time 2:30 hit, most of it was done. Not too shabby, I might add. I grabbed my jacket off the chair and left for the day.